The Journey Is Real

By C.J. Peterson

"Real People, Real Passions, Real Hearts." Everyone has a story, and from that story may be where their passions reside. It is that passion which drives them. Whether it be writing, drawing, animals, nature, photography, or even a passion for people or a charity, it is that passion that fires them up, and propels them to do great things. Take a listen. You may find your new passion among my guests! C.J. Peterson, Author, "While the stories are fiction, the journey is real."cjpetersonwrites.com

Today's guest uses his talent of writing in a unique way. His passion is climate change. He has a blog, and is writing a fictional book in order to shine a light on this issue. To learn more about Shawn Oueinsteen, along with his blog: http://www.shawnoueinsteen.com

Ever felt the loneliness of divorce, and not sure what to do to bring yourself back up? Ever wonder if there really is life after divorce, or if where you are is where you'll stay? You are not alone! My guest today, Katheryn Haueisen, is here to share her real-life example of what happened during her journey after divorce. To find out more about Katheryn Haueisen:
https://howwisethen.com/

We all have experienced one of those times in our lives, where a battle inside you, threatened to overtake you. How did you handle it? The guest for this podcast, Christy Summers, gives you a raw look at her battles. She shares her journey on overcoming depression and anxiety. It is a deeply personal story, that ends in hope! You will not regret listening!

Our Veterans served, giving everything they have, and everything they are. Once they come back, adjusting to regular life can be a challenge. That's where Operation Battle Buddies comes into play! ​Operation Battle Buddies was established in 2015. We give well-bred labrador retriever puppies to veterans suffering from military related injuries. We also provide the dog training so the puppy can be a successful companion for the veteran. All of this is at NO COST to the veteran! Our ministry is funded 100% by donations. The cost to train just ONE puppy is approximately $3,000. Please consider supporting this ministry by sponsoring an Operation Battle Buddies puppy.
https://operationbattlebuddies4vets.com/about-us
They are also on FB:
https://www.facebook.com/operationbattlebuddies/
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/pjiTewBWK8g

Everyone has a story. You may think your life is normal or boring. You may think what you have to say doesn't matter. Well my guest today, Arlene Gale begs to differ. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear! For more information on Arlene Gale or how to contact her, head over to her website:
https://bookwritingbusiness.com
Helping you share your story is her passion!

Sherry Hall's passion is Breast Cancer Awareness. She has used a few unique ways to show this. Take a listen and find out what she has done to draw attention to this cause.
Here is the link for the YouTube video mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZIZy_NRYlY
To find out more about Sherry Hall: www.sherryhallwrites.com
There was also an article mentioned in the podcast:
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/arlington/article223553345.html
Here are a few statistics regarding Breast Cancer: About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime; About 2,620 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2020. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 883; About 42,170 women in the U.S. are expected to die in 2020 from breast cancer; As of January 2020, there are more than 3.5 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

The mission for Heroic Inner Kids of East Texas is: "Our mission is to inspire those with challenges to realize their Inner Hero via education, outreach and advocate efforts." They use a unique way to reach out to children with challenges. Take a listen as Melissa McGinnis shares her heart and her journey with Heroic Inner Kids. Find out what keeps her going after all these years, and how YOU can help! Heroic Inner Kids Website: www.HeroicInnerKids.org
Heroic Inner Kids Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/hiketx/

Krabbe disease is rare and is thought to affect 1 person in every 100,000 people in the general population. Lori Maben is a nurse in Ohio. She shares her story in being a nurse for a young girl with Krabbe. She also shares what came of this unique story! You can find out more about Krabbe, along with resources on:
https://www.huntershope.org/

Lydia Mann has been working with summer camps for over thirty years. Her company, CampTV creates videos for summer camps. She has seen first-hand the impact these get-aways have on young people.
For more information on CampTV:
https://camptv.net
For more information on Lydia Mann:
https://mannwrites.com
YouTube:
https://youtu.be/oP_opWPow0c

Terrie McKee has a unique perspective regarding a traumatizing event in the life of their family. She shares this, along with some of the things she has learned since. Also, she is a homeschooling mom with resources that will be priceless for those parents who have suddenly found themselves as 'teachers' to their kids! You can find all of these and more on her website:
http://www.terriemckee.net
http://www.nearyouraltar.com
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/ThBHA7IAHd8

Tom Oswald has a unique story. His story isn't just a story about losing weight, it's about a journey of the heart. He shares the foundational impact The Lord had on not only his weight loss experience, but also his heart-changing, life-changing experience.
He also has a world-wide blog, "The Opinion of the Minion" he shares about as well. To find out more about Tom, head over to his website: https://tomwoswald.com

Ashley Conner has been in Children's Ministry for Summit Heights Fellowship for over ten years. She was there from before the church was even started! She shares her journey on what that was like, how much it has changed over the years, and what keeps her giving her time and talent to the children in the community! She uses her high energy and creative mind to reach the hearts of the young people around her. Take a listen to hear more! To learn more about her children's ministry, head over to:
https://summitheightsfellowship.com/ministries/children/

Nancy Carter started Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas to make sure that every military member overseas knows they are loved and respected. Take a listen to hear why she started it, and what keeps her going. Here is a little about Airborne Angel Cadets: "We have about 150 volunteers. No paid staff. We send soldiers care packages year round. We ship to about 15,000 troops overseas each year. About 250,000 U.S. military troops are deployed overseas. We mailed 3,200 cartons in 2018. We support American troops from all 50 States. We support all branches of the U.S. military. We do not concentrate on any one group. We focus on troops serving in remote areas. We have been sending care packages since 2005. We welcome support from Americans in any State."
To learn more, or to help this purely volunteer organization, head over to: https://www.airborneangelcadets.com

The North Texas Book Festival is celebrating 20 years of battling literacy on multiple fronts. From giving grants, to having a book show that is free for attendees. You can meet the authors behind the books for yourself, as you peruse the vast genres that make up the North Texas Book Festival - including books in Spanish, YA books, Children's books, Historical books...and so much more! You don't want to miss this event in Denton, TX - this year on August 29 from 10AM-4PM at:
Patterson-Appleton Arts Center
400 E Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
For more information on the North Texas Book Festival, take a look at their website:
https://www.ntbf.org

This is a story about a mother’s heartbreaking journey working through her daughter’s heroin addiction. Her daughter survived the addiction, but many do not. Lou Alpert takes on the journey from seeing her pregnant daughter on a CNN interview, to how she finally got her the help she needed. - From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 Americans died from overdosing on a drug.
- About 494,000 Americans over the age of 12 are regular heroin users.
- About 25% of people who try heroin will become addicted.
- In 2017, 81,000 Americans tried heroin for the first time. The beds are limited for those to get the help they need. Lou Alpert has multiple resources on her website that may help you if you find yourself or your child in the same situation:
https://loualpertbooks.com

This is a short four minute description and reason C.J. created The Journey Is Real Podcast. Take a listen, and make sure to subscribe or follow The Journey Is Real Podcast, so you don't miss a single episode!

More than 400.000 children are currently in the foster care system in the United States alone. Here are a few more statistics to consider: Out of 100 couples in the United States, about 12 to 13 of them have trouble becoming pregnant. About 135,000 children are adopted in the United States each year. Of non-stepparent adoptions, about 59% are from the child welfare (or foster) system, 26% are from other countries, and 15% are voluntarily relinquished American babies. Adoption gives one a different perspective on the world. The selfless act can change lives on so many levels! It changes not only the life of the child, but also of those who choose to foster or adopt these littles. My guests on this episode, along with her husband wanted a family. They have a lot of love they wanted to share, but they had issues with infertility. She shares that journey, as well as the journey that changed their lives when they chose to adopt. She shares their adoption journey, along with a little surprise at the end! Take a listen!
For those looking for options, adoption is one to strongly consider. There are amazing families, as you have met on this podcast, who are looking to love on and raise a little one. Kat mentioned the agency they connected with in East Texas. This is the website she referenced: https://christianhomes.com/

The domestic violence statistics are staggering. For those who have experienced this epidemic, or are perhaps currently in this situation...there is hope!
Ryan Thomas of Hope's Door New Beginnings Center shares his passion regarding Hope's Door and their outreach. We also discuss the different programs Hope's Door offers.
C.J. is a domestic violence survivor as well, and shares a little from her perspective during this segment.
Hope's Door New Beginnings Center Website:
https://hdnbc.org
Their 24hr Hotline:
972-276-0057
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7233
There is hope!

Edward Hancock II is, as he calls it, "a wheelchair guy in an able-bodied world." Take a listen and see what a portion of his world looks like. Also, we talk about his challenges, successes, and the lessons he has learned along the way!
He is also an author. You can find him online at:
Website: https://www.edwardhancockii.com/?fbclid=IwAR3-7WhZrnHlF4ke-aSdAEvZGvOqY73lY7k7owAHp3Qbjr0Vn25cJPAyP5I
FB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEdwardHancockII/

Carrie Cowan explains their journey in being 'baptized by fire' into the world of Type 1 Diabetes with her granddaughter. She also tells of how they went about finding a way to get the 'Queen Bee' Brooke a service dog. Their inspirational journey will have you amazed at how God set it all up before they even knew they would need her service dog.
#BeeSomebodyBrave
FB:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/677236062678372/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmGnewkm5KQ